[NowhereUSA]

I've dealt with depression for 20 years. This last year and half was the worst and when I called it "hell" with my T, he replied that it was "an understatement." I've worked with my T for over six years and without getting into all the details, I know that he cares and I know he did a lot of work outside of our therapy sessions. He's the one that ultimately got me into ketamine and finally found me some relief.

There were some close calls in the last six months, even in the last year, to the point that I ended up hospitalized once. There's more there as I've asked him how things were dealing with me through that and I think I would be accurate to sum up all he said with "harrowing."

So I wrote him a thank you note. Actually two because I couldn't decide which one I thought worded things better and I just gave him both today because screw it, I couldn't decide. I'm not often very warm and fuzzy with people and less so with him, but I basically thanked him for saving my life.

But I feel anxious about it now. It's like it hit me that I was just very... I don't know the word except to say warm and fuzzy. I'm just really grateful for the extra effort he put in.

I don't really even know what I'm worried about! I guess I just wanted to say I'm worried about... something?

Anyone write their Ts a note like that? Tell me good stories LOL.

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by NowhereUSA

I've dealt with depression for 20 years. This last year and half was the worst and when I called it "hell" with my T, he replied that it was "an understatement." I've worked with my T for over six years and without getting into all the details, I know that he cares and I know he did a lot of work outside of our therapy sessions. He's the one that ultimately got me into ketamine and finally found me some relief.

There were some close calls in the last six months, even in the last year, to the point that I ended up hospitalized once. There's more there as I've asked him how things were dealing with me through that and I think I would be accurate to sum up all he said with "harrowing."

So I wrote him a thank you note. Actually two because I couldn't decide which one I thought worded things better and I just gave him both today because screw it, I couldn't decide. I'm not often very warm and fuzzy with people and less so with him, but I basically thanked him for saving my life.

But I feel anxious about it now. It's like it hit me that I was just very... I don't know the word except to say warm and fuzzy. I'm just really grateful for the extra effort he put in.

I don't really even know what I'm worried about! I guess I just wanted to say I'm worried about... something?

Anyone write their Ts a note like that? Tell me good stories LOL.

Not sure it's similar but ill tell you anyways. Ive been seeing my T for a year. I'm a VERY shy person so it takes me a very long time to feel comfortable with someone. Now I'm still not 100% comfortable with her but better than I was before. Anyways, my T lets me email her anytime I want because she knows that I hide a lot of things. This one time something came over me and I decided to send her an apology email... I sent her an email saying that I'm sorry for being shy and quiet, and that I can only imagine how annoyed she is because all I do is sit there and just nod my head. I was so ANXIOUS after that for the next few days until she emailed me back and said that I was being way too hard on myself. Thanking your therapist shows maturity, so dont worry (easier said than done). Good on you.

[unaluna]

I think t and i are more verbal - we will remember things the other has said that are significant, like from ten years ago. Anyway i guess i do more verbal thank you cards - at least a yearly summary, but also every so often it will occur to me how differently i am handling a situation compared to before, or like with my stroke, how amazing he was getting me thru it. I guess i have a lot to be grateful for. Thanks for reminding me

[ThingWithFeathers]

I've given my t a letter and was nervous about it. After I gave it to her, I worried that it was 'too much', you know - too much to say from the heart. I felt vulnerable and hoped she didn't think me pathetic. She accepted it without hesitation. She sent me a thank you email but, aside from that, we've never spoken about it. I didn't regret giving it to her.

I had a similar situation. I terminated with my therapist of many years last September (it was a mutual decision and a well planned and executed termination). Over the time I saw him, he went above and beyond any duty he had as a therapist and I am positive there were times when I scared the crap out of him with my depression (I was also hospitalized). In June, I wrote him a letter, thanking him for everything he did. I did ask that he not respond (and he honored that). I felt a lot of anxiety after I sent the letter - but I also really wanted to let him know how much I appreciated what he had done for me.

[LonesomeTonight]

I sent my marriage counselor an e-mail about a month ago talking more about my transference for him (mostly paternal) and how safe I felt with him. I was nervous about being as candid/open as I was, and I actually did request that he respond, because otherwise I would have been freaking out it until our next session. He wrote a brief but caring/accepting response, which made me feel much better.

I've also sent "thanks for listening/caring" messages to both T and MC (didn't usually get a response, but that's OK). Last week, in person I thanked my T for being so supportive, adding that the way I said it probably sounded cheesy and I knew it was her job. She said didn't sound cheesy and that it was nice to hear sometimes.

So I totally understand your nervousness.

[NowhereUSA]

Thanks guys. He really did a lot of extra work and I know my depression affected him deeply (he lost a client in the last few years). I know he'll receive my letter graciously. I'm just not usually so open with my positive emotions towards him, partly to keep distance because I'm like that :P